While eating lunch just off the Lower Test Marshes we debated various places to visit in the afternoon, but with the beautiful weather we were concerned about the crowds, so in the end we opted to try Hill Head, where earlier there had been reports of an almost summer plumaged Grat Northern Diver. Another diver I know, but an opportunity to see and photograph one in summer plumage was too much to pass on.
Pullin up on the sea wall it was a stunning sight, the tide out and the sea so blue under the winter sunshine. A female Stonechat was on the fence.
We decided to walk to the sailing club when we saw Sanderling and Ringed Plover On Duck Lake there were six Common Gulls.
We stopped to talk to some who had been photographing the diver. Apparently it had been close but had now disappeared. It was then seen just off the Rainbow Bar and everyone headed over to try and get to a position where the glorious sunshine would not be a problem.
Just off shore the light was not helpful but it was possible to see the neck collar, the only visible area of moult was under the chin and on the neck.
The same classic features as described on the morning's bird, but this time with the summer plumage.
We were treated to the obligatory wing flap.
It drifted around into the sun and we walked as close as we could to the edge of the water to get a good light position.
Here you can begin to see the red eye a feature of the divers and grebes.
The red eye is controlled by the colour of the iris which controls the diameter of the pupil and the amount of light coming in. It is though the colour helps to filter the light in dull and drab conditions, like those found underwater, making it easier to see underwater. But not all diving birds have the same eye colour, so the jury is still out. Maybe the divers and grebes have managed to get this evolutionary advantage ahead of others?
A chance to see the bill, the Great northern has dark lines on the culmen (the top) and the cutting edges that are slightly serrated to help with grip.
here the diver swims into the light and the eye colour is picked up by the reflection of light from the water.
No alterations to th eye colour have been made.
After some superb views it decided to head out towards deep er water and we decided to head into the reserve and the Meon Shore Hide.
Once again some beautiful light and duck close to the hide, these Teal standing out in the sunshine.
Avocet have been absent since early autumn so it was good to see a pair on the scrape.
Shoveler are always lovely to photograph in flight, the colours that are hidden in the wings at rest are then on show.
There was an appearance from three distant Marsh Harriers and plenty of snipe. The last two visits there had been Reed Bunting in the reeds to the left of the hide, but today they were gone. There was though a male Bearded Tit that showed on and off as it fed on the seed heads of the reeds. It never showed well but did produce some interesting images as it pushed its head through the seed head.
Then a brief view of all of the bird.
We decided with the sun falling and the light going to head back to the car. Outside the sky over the Solent was looking spectacular, this view from above the reeds.
Looking closer you could see the rainbow produced by the ice crystals in the cirro-stratus clouds, unfortunately a sign that the weather was on the change.
It was going to be a stunning sunset over the beach and sea.
Looking to the west the clouds were lovely.
And one final look across the reserve, the reed bed lit up by the golden light. While away to the right the visitor centre that now has its own For Sale sign, goodness knows what that will mean, I don't think it will be for the good
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